Montador had two years remaining on his four-year deal with a $2.75 million cap hit. Olesz had just one season left on his six-year deal with a $3.125 million cap hit. Neither player was a factor in winning the Stanley Cup for the ‘Hawks this season. Montador dealt with concussion issues most of the season before being sent to Rockford in the AHL.

There was talk before the end of the Stanley Cup Final that perhaps Marian Hossa would be someone the team would buy out. With the fear of the cap recapture penalty looming if he retired before the end of his deal out there, some speculated it would be easier for Chicago to buy him out and move on.

That won’t be happening now and the Blackhawks will be hoping to see Hossa going strong into the 2020-2021 season when his 12-year deal expires. He’ll be 42 years-old when that happens.

I think Bowman is being a bit short sighted with these buyouts. Hossa being an effective player for the next 3 or so years is not a question, but he has had some rough injuries recently and him retiring at 38 is conceivable and that recapture cap hit could be deadly.

I think the same thing in Detroit with Franzen…the deals where the player is signed into their 40’s are scary looking with the new CBA.

Woah. There’s a possibility I didn’t see coming. And they ARE shopping Bolland – over $3m more if he goes. If Vinny wants another Cup ring badly enough… man, that’s a thought.

Still, they also have a lot of FAs in the next two years. Rozsival, Kruger, Stalberg and Bickell this year, Shaw, Hjalmarsson and basically all of their ELCs next year. They’ll have to budget for retaining depth guys this time.

Not saying it’s impossible, but Vinny would eat up at least $4.5m of that and they have Rozsival and Bickell to deal with first.

Could also be Drew Leblanc also but either way I see the Hawks calling someone up for the spot and make a trade for a veteran if needed. With the cap reduction, winning teams need production from cheap contracts in order to win. Not saying he is an elite prospect but they just won the cup without a elite center and leading the minors in points helps you get a shot especially when you are a low cap hit.

Plus with Toews and Kane up in two years, I don’t see the Hawks making new major commitments past that.

cfos00 - Jun 27, 2013 at 12:44 PM

Bowman did the right thing. Championship windows do not stay open forever. Trying to solve what could be a problem 4 years from now while the team is at the top of the heap and should be there for the next few years would have been dumb. You don’t throw that out. Hossa is too important a piece to not keep around. Good job Stan.

micklethepickle - Jun 27, 2013 at 1:34 PM

Hossa is a fantastic player, but I have to agree with the comments regarding his likelihood of playing (or even being remotely effective if he does) until age 42. Look how much an all-time great like Jagr has slowed down, and he had nothing like the injury history that Hossa does. I don’t know. CHI has been very competitive for a few years, so they obviously have a good idea of how to run a team.

micklethepickle - Jun 27, 2013 at 1:35 PM

Which isn’t to say Jagr isn’t still a good/great-ish player. Not saying that AT ALL; just saying that he’s not the dynamic guy he was, and Hossa in his prime isn’t a top 10 (top 5?) player of all time like Jagr.

Yes, if Hossa can’t play due to a injury, he goes on long term IR and there is no recapture as he doesn’t technically retire. With Hossa’s history of head injuries that could become a bona-fide long-term injury.

Thanks for confirming, I’m wondering if that figures into their decision to roll the dice with Hossa.

One other thing to keep in mind is that the Hawks actually lost money this year (paying salaried staff during the lockout, revenue sharing with teams like the Yotes). So they likely did the buyouts they could now to popsition themselves for the next 2 years.

I don’t think money was the issue. The Hawks haven’t made a profit in years, Wirtz other business sent $10 million to the Hawks in 2010. However given their ownership structure and fact the Wirtz have cash, I don’t think lack of cash is a major issue for Bowman. Also explains why ticket prices keep going up, as they are trying to raise revenue to make the Hawks profitable.

gret9 - Jun 27, 2013 at 4:35 PM

As a Blackhawks fan, I’ll take my chances with Hoss, thank you very much. Good call Stan.